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Around 91% of the world’s soy is genetically modified. Dr. Joseph Mercola writes, “Goitrogens, found in all unfermented soy whether it's organic or not, are substances that block the synthesis of thyroid hormones and interfere with iodine metabolism, thereby interfering with your thyroid function.” Opt for fermented, organic soy products like miso, tempeh, and natto. The fermentation process breaks down the antinutrients, isoflavones (plant hormones), and goitrogens, thereby easing nutrient absorption during digestion. One caveat: Any diet with soy should be consumed with iodine rich foods to effectively protect thyroid function. Grass-fed butter will do the trick.

Root vegetables absorb pesticides in the soil. The conventional potato, among America’s most popular crops, is treated with a range of chemicals from fungicides during the growing season to herbicides before harvesting. To avoid the pesticide-centric crop, buy only organic. The good news is there’s not a huge price difference.

Table salt is typically mined from salt deposits and heavily processed, eliminating minerals and adding agents to avoid clumping. Best-selling author and renowned leader in natural cancer cures, Dr. Leonard Coldwell, reveals table salt is often contaminated with sand and glass.These abrasive additives can cause small tears in the body once ingested, including the veins. “Your body reacts by trying to patch and heal with fats (cholesterol). This often causes your body to make more cholesterol than needed and cause blockages and in more extreme cases can lead to stroke or heart attack,” says Coldwell. Sea salt, on the other hand, is produced using very little processing by evaporating ocean water or saltwater lakes. Coldwell suggests opting for Himalayan Pink Salt. The crystalline, unrefined salt is still often hand mined, maintaining 94 different minerals and trace minerals including calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, and iron.

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While popcorn remains a healthy snack, the lining of microwave bags can contain harmful chemicals including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA.) Microwaving such chemicals causes them to vaporize, seeping into the food. While many manufacturers agreed to phase out PFOA from production by 2015, the flavoring agents in microwave popcorn can also contain dactyl, a chemical linked to a severe respiratory condition. Shortcut: Invest in an air popper! Top with melted ghee and Himalayan pink salt in lieu of artificial flavorings.

Farmed salmon are made to live in cramped quarters, fed a diet of soy, and routinely given antibiotics and pesticides to stave off disease and combat sea lice. Farm-raised fish can contain cancer-causing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dibutyltin, and dioxins. These harmful chemicals are linked to immune and reproductive disorders, as well as increased cancer risk. Wild caught fish is naturally high in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Go wild!